It is with profound sadness that the South Bend community mourns the tragic passing of 37-year-old Brien Franklin Jr., who was killed in a shooting Tuesday afternoon in the 500 block of West Colfax Avenue.

According to the South Bend Police Department (SBPD), officers responded to reports of gunfire and arrived to find Brien suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the tireless efforts of first responders, he was pronounced deceased at the scene. His untimely death has left family, friends, and neighbors heartbroken, struggling to make sense of such a senseless act of violence.

Those who knew Brien remember him as a kind, warm-hearted man who was always willing to lend a hand or share a smile. Friends describe him as loyal and full of life — someone who could brighten any room he walked into. His loved ones say his passing leaves a void that can never truly be filled.

Detectives with SBPD continue to investigate the shooting. As of now, no suspects have been identified, and investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward to help bring justice and closure to Brien’s grieving family.

In the wake of his death, tributes have poured in across social media, with friends sharing memories, photos, and words of love. A candlelight vigil is being planned to honor Brien’s life and to stand in solidarity against the violence that has shaken the South Bend community.

Brien Franklin Jr. will be remembered for his kindness, his laughter, and the love he showed to everyone around him. His family asks for continued prayers and privacy as they navigate this devastating loss and hold tightly to the memories of a life gone far too soon.